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February 23, 2009

Use a Clay Extruder to Fill in Polymer Cane Background Spaces

10

Polymer Clay Flower Cane

Make Your Flower Canes Stand Out With Translucent Polymer Clay Packing:

Today's topic is about using a Makins Professional Polymer Clay Extruder Gun to pack the spaces between the petals in a flower cane. Once filled, these spaces become the background for your cane.

Translucent clay is often used for filling in the background of a flower cane because it frames the colorful flower petal design with a neutral border. This neutral border is important when you layer cane slices over each other or place them in close proximity on your beads.

If you look carefully at the flower cane in the photo above, you'll see teardrop shaped pieces of translucent polymer clay filling the voids around the outer extremities of the flower petals.

These teardrop pieces of translucent clay were made using a teardrop shaped die in my Makins Professional Clay Extruder. A triangle die would work just as well… maybe even better since triangles are not as 'bulgy'.

By the way, the colors used for making this cane are from the Petunia Color Recipe Palette.

Besides the teardrop shaped packing in the above photo, you should also be able to see 2 thin wrappings of translucent polymer clay. These wraps help to minimize distortion of the flower design when the cane is being reduced.

So next time you are building a polymer clay flower cane, be sure to let your clay extruder lend a helping hand. This versatile tool can be a real time saver.

Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor


Tags: clay extruder, distortion, extruder dies, flower cane, makins, packing cane backgrounds, petunia color palette, reducing canes, spring color palette, teardrop die, translucent, triangle die

Filed Under: 02: Tools, 07: Cane Work by Cindy Lietz Comment. #

Comments on Use a Clay Extruder to Fill in Polymer Cane Background Spaces Leave a Comment

February 23, 2009

NanjoDogz
12:02 pm #

Reply

Your blog has just a wealth of polymer clay information! Thank you.

Cindy Lietz from Steampunk Jewelry Pendant
3:25 pm #

Reply

Thank you NanjoDogz! That means a lot coming from you!

February 24, 2009

Illaya
5:47 am #

Reply

Once again another wonderful time saver. The extruder in my studio will now live next to the pasta machine. I also appreciate the tip about surrounding the cane with thin sheets of translucent in steps. I can see where this will assist in the compression of the flower without distorting. I am blessed for finding you Cindy.

Cindy Lietz from Beginner Polymer Clay Notes
5:12 pm #

Reply

Thanks Illaya! I'm glad to be able to help!

February 25, 2009

Jenny Wang
3:00 am #

Reply

The Polymer Clay Packing~~~~! I like to look very much very out of the ordinary, very beautiful

February 26, 2009

Cindy Lietz from Common Polymer Clay Brands in North America
6:09 pm #

Reply

Thanks Jenny!

February 27, 2009

lynn watts
7:56 pm #

Reply

Cindy I have made alot of canes, never thought about using trans in different places. The extruder oh wow yet another great idea I had not thought of. See it pays to share with others you learn so much that way. Lynn Watts

March 2, 2009

Cindy Lietz from Polymer Clay Brands
4:39 pm #

Reply

Glad to be of help Lynne!

March 5, 2009

Lupe Meter
8:46 am #

Reply

I just love your shortcuts. I never thought of doing 2 thin wrappings of translucent polymer clay, which is probably why I get a little distortion in my flower canes. I have yet to be happy with one. Thanks for the information.

Cindy Lietz from Polymer Clay Cane Designs
5:30 pm #

Reply

That tip should help Lupe. There are so many tricks to getting a good cane. There is always so much to learn. I find I'm learning new things every day! Thanks for your comment!

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